Responding to Harassment

Unit: Respectful Relationships Revolution

Lesson: 6 of 7

Year Level: Year 8

Time: 50 minutes

Class Size: 26 students

Learning Area: Health and Physical Education

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Curriculum Alignment

Australian Curriculum Version 9 – Health and Physical Education

Content Descriptor:

• AC9HP8P04: Examine the roles of respect, empathy, power and coercion in developing respectful relationships
• AC9HP8P04_E2: Recognising the impact bullying and harassment can have on relationships, including online relationships
• AC9HP8P04_E5: Examining what constitutes disrespectful, harmful or violent behaviour within peer, family and intimate relationships

General Capabilities:

• Personal and Social Capability: Social awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making
• Ethical Understanding: Considering others’ perspectives, ethical behaviour in relationships

This lesson supports Year 8 students to develop practical strategies to respond to harassment and to support peers, focusing on respectful relationships consistent with the Australian Curriculum requirements for Health and Physical Education (v9).

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify examples of harassment and describe its impact on individuals and peer relationships.
2. Demonstrate respectful responses and strategies for addressing harassment, including ways to support peers who experience it.
3. Explore the roles of empathy, respect, and assertiveness in responding effectively to harassment.
4. Practise responses through role-playing realistic scenarios involving harassment or bullying.

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Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Detail & Resources
0–5 min	Introduction and Lesson Overview	- Teacher outlines lesson objectives. - Brief review of respectful relationships and impact of harassment. - Set safe and respectful classroom norms for discussion.
5–15 min	Concept Exploration: What Is Harassment?	- Class brainstorm: What behaviours constitute harassment? (verbal, physical, online) - Discuss impact on feelings, safety, and relationships. - Highlight power imbalances and coercion (AC9HP8P04 focus).
15–30 min	Role-Playing Scenarios	- Divide class into pairs or small groups (3–4 students). - Distribute age-appropriate written scenarios depicting harassment (e.g., teasing, exclusion, online bullying). - Students assign roles: the harasser, the target, and the supportive peer(s). - Practice respectful interventions and responses (assertiveness, seeking help). - Rotate roles if time permits.
30–40 min	Group Reflection and Discussion	- Groups share key points from role-plays. - Discuss effective strategies observed or used. - Emphasise empathy: "How might each person feel?" - Teacher links to curriculum concepts: respect, empathy, power dynamics.
40–48 min	Peer Support Strategies	- Introduce ways to support peers experiencing harassment: listening, validating feelings, encouraging help-seeking. - Develop a class action plan for what to do if harassment is witnessed. - Option: Create a simple poster or list on whiteboard summarising strategies.
48–50 min	Conclusion and Exit Task	- Quick written or verbal exit task: "Name one new strategy you will use if you see harassment." - Remind students of wellbeing supports available at school.

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Detailed Activity Instructions

1. Introduction and Lesson Overview (5 minutes)

• Teacher sets the context by revisiting the importance of respectful relationships (link to previous lessons in the unit).
• Explain the focus on recognising harassment and how to respond in ways that support both themselves and others.

2. Concept Exploration (10 minutes)

• Use a whiteboard or shared digital board to brainstorm what harassment means.
• Guide students with examples, such as name-calling, spreading rumours, exclusion, physical intimidation, and online messages.
• Facilitate a brief discussion on how harassment can hurt victims emotionally and socially.
• Highlight scenarios where someone might feel powerless and need support.

3. Role-Playing Scenarios (15 minutes)

• Prepare scenario cards beforehand with typical harassment examples age-appropriate for Year 8. e.g.,
  • Scenario 1: A student is excluded from a group chat and teased on social media.
  • Scenario 2: A peer is called names for their cultural background.
  • Scenario 3: Physical intimidation during recess.
• Students act out the scenarios focusing on:
  • How the target might respond assertively.
  • How peers can intervene respectfully and safely.
• Scaffold with sentence starters for responses, e.g.:
  • "Please stop. That’s not okay."
  • "Are you alright? I’m here if you want to talk."
  • "Let’s go find a teacher together."

4. Group Reflection and Discussion (10 minutes)

• Each group shares what was effective and what was challenging during role play.
• Teacher prompts reflection about power, respect, and empathy in the interactions.
• Emphasise how support can change someone’s experience from feeling isolated to supported.

5. Peer Support Strategies (8 minutes)

• Introduce positive peer support strategies: active listening, believing the victim, encouraging talking to trusted adults.
• Involve students in creating a visible reminder (poster/list) of these strategies.
• The class develops a shared commitment to intervene safely or report harassment.

6. Conclusion and Exit Task (2 minutes)

• Students succinctly state one strategy they learned or commit to use.
• Teacher reinforces available support services at school and encourages ongoing respectful behaviours.

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Assessment & Feedback

Formative Assessment:

• Observation of student participation during brainstorming and role plays—engagement and respectful interaction.
• Contribution to group discussion demonstrating understanding of harassment impacts and responses.

Exit Task:

• Collect written/verbal responses to identify individual understanding of effective strategies.

Teacher feedback will focus on reinforcing positive language use and encouraging application of learned strategies in real-life settings.

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Resources Required

• Scenario cards tailored to harassment examples relevant to Year 8 peer contexts.
• Whiteboard/flipchart or digital display for brainstorming and strategy listing.
• Paper and pens for exit task or a digital platform for student responses.
• Safe and inclusive classroom environment guidelines sheet (optional recap).

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Teacher Notes and Tips

• Encourage a trauma-informed, sensitive approach given that some students may have personal experiences with harassment.
• Emphasise the importance of bystander roles and empower students that they can influence positive change.
• Adapt scenarios if needed for cultural relevance or particular school community issues.
• Use inclusive language and acknowledge diverse family, cultural and social backgrounds.

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This lesson bridges knowledge and practical skills aligned with the Australian Curriculum Version 9 for Year 8 Health and Physical Education, focusing on respectful relationships and student wellbeing, specifically on responding to harassment and supporting peers through active, empathetic strategies.